By Abu Mahmood: In boxing, legacy is important. What do the fans remember of a fighter, their accomplishments, and most importantly, how they fought each time they entered the hallowed boxing ring?
In the heavyweight division, each punch is thrown with mean intentions. Each punch can spell game over for the opponent. When the dust is settled, spectators usually look to see one individual with their arms raised in triumph and the sounds of celebration around the arena whilst in the opposite corner, a defeated challenger faced with the thought of having to make their way back up the mountain for another chance at glory, fame and the title “Greatest Of All Time”.
On the 21st of September, we will see two warriors of the division clash in a fight that will have an impact on the rest of the heavyweight division. Anthony Joshua (28–3-0, 25 KOs) will face IBF world heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois (21-2-0, 20KOs)for the chance to call himself a three-time world champion and to set up a third chance to try and take down the enigmatic and elusive ring general that is Oleksandr Usyk (22-0-0, 14 KOs).
Daniel Dubois faces his biggest challenge yet in Anthony Joshua. Dubois was elevated to the status of world champion on the 26th of June. For many, this challenge will solidify his claim to the title “world champion” whilst also allowing him to potentially right the wrong he believes occurred in his fight against Oleksandr Usyk.
For Joshua, a chance to become world champion once more and challenge Usyk for the title of undisputed. For Dubois, a chance to show everyone what he is capable of and to prove that he belongs at the top. For the fans, a guaranteed fight that will have everyone on the edge of their seats.
Joshua is a unique fighter who has walked down so many of his opponents in the ring en route to knockout victories. Dubois, a more cautious fighter, with a jab reminiscent of Sonny Liston. Both men are at vital stages in their respective careers.
So why does this fight have such a big impact on the division?
World champion:
Anthony Joshua enters this fight as a challenger. He has rebuilt himself since his last loss to Usyk on the 20th of August, 2022 with 4 straight wins over Jermaine Franklin, Robert Helenius, Otto Wallin, and most recently, Francis Ngannou. Joshua, aged 34, has struggled previously with the taunts by rivals that he cannot box in the technical sense of the word. A taunt he claimed was in his head when he fought Oleksandr Usyk.
Joshua has rebuilt himself systematically linking up with a new trainer Ben Davison. This move has allowed him to realign himself for one more run on the world stage. Joshua enters this fight against Daniel Dubois as a favorite, owing to his experience in big fights.
Anthony Joshua knows that winning this fight will allow him to become a three-time world champion and set up big fights such as a trilogy against Oleksandr Usyk or the Battle of Britain fight against Tyson Fury (34-1-1, 24 KOs)
Daniel Dubois enters this fight as the self-proclaimed world champion in many people’s eyes. Although he was elevated to full champion status by the IBF, this will be his homecoming in the eyes of the fans.
Dubois fought against Usyk as well, which had a controversial moment in the fight but ended with Dubois losing.
Dubois enters this fight with not as much experience as his opponent and with more to lose. He is the younger fighter by 8 years and has not been in as many wars as his opponent. For Dubois, winning this fight will allow him to bring a new era into the heavyweight division, especially for the future of British boxers in the division. A win here propels him into superstardom and a chance to show he belongs at the top.
Career trajectory:
Anthony Joshua goes into this fight at a stage in his career where a loss can force him out of the title picture indefinitely. At that point, one would wonder if Joshua would retire. After spending 2 years rebuilding himself and changing trainers, Joshua has one last chance to show he is still the same person who unified most of the division between 2016 and 2019 as a world champion.
Daniel Dubois has still yet to prove himself against an elite opponent. A loss here would place him into the class of boxers who cannot hang with the “big boys” of the division. A loss against Joe Joyce and Oleksandr Usyk has already de-railed his career twice. Although he is 26, one would go on to question how much motivation he would have after a loss at this stage.
Both boxers are at different stages of their career. Dubois, a newly crowned world champ and Joshua, a veteran of the sport seeking to right his wrings and stand at the top of the mountain once again.
This writer draws comparisons from Joshua vs Klitschko where an aging Klitschko was broken down by the younger, more brutal fighter.
On the 21st of September, expect a fight where the deciding factor will be not power or experience but instead, which fighter has the will to carry on.
